What is the definition of a heuristic?

A heuristic is indeed defined as a mental shortcut or rule of thumb that simplifies decision making. Heuristics allow individuals to make quick, often efficient judgments and decisions without the need for extensive analysis. They tap into learned experiences and intuitive responses to simplify complex problems, especially when time is limited or when there's an overload of information. This method can be particularly useful in everyday life where decisions must be made quickly, such as choosing what to eat, determining which route to take during traffic, or assessing someone’s trustworthiness at a glance.

In contrast, a thorough and complex analysis of decision-making would involve extensive information gathering and careful consideration of all possible options, which is not the essence of what a heuristic provides. Heuristics inherently favor speed and efficiency over exhaustive examination.

Similarly, a prescriptive set of rules for problem-solving suggests a more rigid, systematic approach to decision-making, which is not aligned with the flexible and often informal nature of heuristics. Lastly, a statistical method for evaluating biases involves applying quantitative techniques to assess patterns of thinking, rather than the subjective shortcuts characterizing heuristics.

Thus, the correct definition captures the essence of heuristics as tools that facilitate quicker conclusions in various decision-making scenarios.